Fuse-setting machine.



K. WIESER, W. SCHWARTZ & U. WILGK.

FUSE SETTING MAGHINE.

APPLICATION IILED NOV. 4, 1912.

1,098,309, Patented May 26, 1914.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH CQ.,WASH|NGTON, u. c

K. WIESER, W. SCHWARTZ & U. WILGK.

FUSE SETTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED nov 4, 1912.

1,098,309, V Patented May 26, 1914.

3 SHEETS-SHEET Z.

amw jm.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH co, WASHINGTUN. n c.

K. WIESER, W. SCHWARTZ & U. WILGK.

FUSE SETTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 4, 1912.

. 1 Patented May 26, 1914.

6/ 7 3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

UMTED STATES PATENT rrio.

KARL WIESER, OF BREDENEY, AND WILI-IELM SCHWARTZ AND ULRICH WILC-K, 0F

ESSEN-ON-THE-RUHR, GERMANY, ASSIGNORS TO FRIED. KRUPP AKTIENGESELL- SCI-IAFT, OF ESSEN-ON-THE-RUHR, GERMANY.

FUSE-SETTING MACHINE.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, KARL VVIEsER, residing at Bredeney. Germany, and lVILI-IELM SCHWARTZ and ULRICH lVILoK, residing at Fssen-on-the-Ruhr, Germany, citizens of the German Empire, have invented a certain new and useful. Improvement in Fuse-Setting Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention pertains to fuse setting machines having a device, by means of which the coupling between the adjustable fuse part and the setting member belonging thereto, may be automatically disengaged, at the latest at the end of the setting operation; and one object of this invention is to utilize said device for the adjustment of smaller changes in the distance of bursting, particularly for spreading.

One embodiment of the invention representing a fuse setting machine in accordance with U. S. Patent No. 1,029,1l6, of June 11, 1910, is illustrated in the drawings wherein,

Figure 1 shows a front elevation of the fuse setting machine; Fig. 2, a section along line 22 of Fig. I, seen from the left; Fig. 3, a section along line 33 of Fig. 2, seen from above; Fig. 4, a similar section to Fig. 3 with different positions of the details; Fig. 5, a part of a similar section to Figs. 3 and 4 with still another position of the detail parts; Fig. 6, a section along line 6-6 of Fig. 5 seen from the right; Fig. 7, a section along line 77 of Fig. 5 seen-from the left; Fig. 8, a top plap View of Fig. 7 Fig. 9, a diagrammatic representation of one of the details, and Fig. 10, a part of a section along line 101O of Fig. 5. seen from the right.

A indicates the adjusting member, which is adapted to be coupled to the adjustable part of the fuse, and B indicates the adj usting member which is adapted to be coupled to the fuse body. Two spring-actuated latches a and 6 see Fig. 2, for which corresponding notches are provided in the fuse, serve, in the well known manner, to couple the adjusting members A and B to the appurtenant parts of the fuse. The adjusting member A which is provided with a toothed crown a is adapted to turn about a hollow trunnion a secured on the bottom of the housing C.

The adjusting member B is revolubly Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed November 4, 1912.

Patented May 26, 1914.

Serial No. 729,448.

mounted 011 the nave (Z of a bevel-wheel D which is revoluble in the bearings 0 Fig. 2, secured to the housing C. The bevelwheel E which is journaled in the housing 0 and can be rotated by means of a crank F, meshes with the bevel-wheel D and the toothed crown a In the nave (Z1 of the bevel-wheel D is j ournaled a worm G which is intended to impart to the adjusting member B an angular position relative to the ad just-ing member A which corresponds to the desired adjustment of the fuse. The hand wheel H, mounted in well known manner, in the housing C, serves to drive the worm G, which hand wheel is connected with the worm in the position of rest of the crank F (Fig. 1) by means of a coupling (not shown in the drawing) automatically disengaging itself when the crank F is driven.

The latch a which serves for coupling the adjusting member A to the adjustable part of the fuse, is mounted in an arm a in the manner shown in the drawings (see especially Figs. 3, 4: and 5), which arm is arranged in a recess a of the adjusting member A and is adapted to rock around the pin a The arm a is under the action of the spring a which tends to turn the arm outward. The part of the adjusting member A which contains the arm a is surrounded by a ring K which is co-aXial with the adjusting member A, and loosely rotatable relative thereto. The ring" K is provided with a slot 70 in which the toe a on the arm a is arranged to engage. The slot 74 has two side walls 70 and If, one of which k is inclined in such manner, that the toe a. may automatically pass out of the slot 70 when the adjusting member A turns in the direction of the arrow 06 (Figs. 3, 4 and 5) while the ring K remains at rest. The other side wall 7: of the slot 70 is shaped and placed in such a manner, that the toe a cannot pass out automatically of the slot 70 during the turning of the adjusting member A in the opposite direction of the arrow w, see particularly Fig. 4. The ring K is then compelled to couple itself with the adjusting member A, during the last mentioned turning direction of this member. When the toe a projects into the slot k the latch a is situated at such a distance from the axis of rotation of the adjusting member A that the latch cannot project beyond the inner surface of the member A. When, however,

the toe 04 has passed out of the slot k and after corresponding relative rotation of the ring K and the adjusting member A abuts against the inner cylindrical surface k of the ring K, the latch a when at rest, projects into the hollow space of the adjusting member A which is intended to receive the fuse.

The ring K is provided with an arm 70 which engages a recess m in a bolt M, of mainly cylindrical shape. This bolt M is slidable in the housing C parallel to the axis of revolution of the crank F and secured against turning by means of a finger m which is adapted to slide in a guide slot 0 of the housing. The bolt M is subjected to the action of the spring N, which tends to push it near the crank F. The end of the bolt M adjacent the crank F has an abutment m which projects into the path of an abutment arm. f provided on the crank F, compare Figs. 1, 3 and 5, during the still standing of the machine, and which abutment prevents any turning of the crank in the direction of the arrow 3 Fig. 1.

The bolt M may be displaced against the action of the spring N so far that the abutment m is retracted from the path of the abutment arm f, Fig. 4. In this position, when the finger m rests against the abut-- ment surface 0 of one of the housing parts, the bolt M may be secured by means of a spring actuated snap latch Q, mounted at the front side of the housing C, said latch being displaceable in a direction at right angles to the displacing direction of the bolt- M and which, actuated by the spring, will project with its free end in front of the face of the abut-ment m The free end of the snap latch Q, which now reaches out in the path of the abutment arm 1 of the crank, is so shaped, that the snap latch Q may be so far pushed back against the spring action in its bearing, that it disengages the bolt M, during the subsequent turning of the crank F in the direction of adjustment, that is in the direction of the arrow y, Fig. 1. Should the bolt M under the action of the spring N so far be pushed out of the housing C, that the abutment m is again situated in the path of the abutment arm f of the crank, the abutment m will constitute a stop for the snap latch Q, Figs. 1, 3 and 5, whereby the latter will remain in its position even after it has been set free by the abutment arm f of the crank F. So far the described device coincides in all principal parts with the device of the fuse setting 1r achine in accordance with the U. S. Patent No. 1,029,146 with the exception of the particular arrangement of the latch formedby the snap latch Q.

65 While in the said fuse setting machine those parts which correspond to the bolt M and the positively therewith driven ring K, by means of the arm are only able to take up a single position during the still standing of the machine; in the present invention however, such an arrangement has been devised whereby the bolt M and therewith also the ring K during the still standing of the machine may be held in several different positions. For this purpose an abutment piece is mounted in the housing C near the bolt M constructed as a sleeve P, the axis of revolution of which is parallel to the displacing direction of the bolt M. This sleeve P, which is not slidable, has a collar 29 In this collar are provided 12 slits 29 which have different lengths, and are cut in the end of the collar which is situated farthest away from the crank F. These slits p have such a shape that the finger m of the bolt M with the bolt in the position shown in Fig. 4 and looking from crank F, lies completely back of the collar p and actuated by the spring N may engage each one of the slits during corresponding angular position of the sleeve P, whereby the bolt M in accordance with the depth of the slit with which the finger m engages, may be secured in different positions by means of said sleeve P. Of the twelve slits 79 each four have the same depth which will be found from the development of the cylindrical surface k of the sleeve P, as shown in Fig. 9. This development, wherein the slits p are marked with the numerals 1 to 12, has been accomplished by cutting the sleeve in the middle along the slit designated by 1. Fig. 10, and by thereupon developing the cylindrical surface counter-clockwise.

As shown in Fig. 9, the slits 2 to 5 have the shallowest, the slits 6 to 9 the next deepest, and the slits 10, 11, 12 and 1 the greatest depth, so that the bolt M may be secured by means of the sleeve P in three different positions. The abutment m is situated in the path of the abutment f of the crank F at each of these three positions. Fig. 5 shows the bolt in its position corresponding to the greatest depth of the slits 29 As the ring K is in driving connection with the bolt M, the three positions of the bolt M will consequently express different angular positions of the ring K and the slot 76 The dimensions of the slot 70 have been so selected in the circumferential direction, that, when the crank F is in its idle position, shown in Fig. 1, to which position corresponds the angular position of the adjusting member A, shown in Figs. 3 and 5, the toe a may engage with the slot 70 in each of the three different angular positions of the ring K. The difference between each two neighboring angular positions expresses a distance of about one hundred meters of the bursting range. The angular distances between the slits 1 and 2, see Fig. 9, 2 and 4, 4 and 5, 5 and 6, 6 and 8,

taneously situated in the pat-h of the crank 8 and 9, 9 and 10, 10 and 12, as well as 12 and 1, are all alike. So are also the angular distances between the slits 1 and 3, 3 and 5, 5 and 7, 7 and 9, 9 and 11, as well as 11 and 1, the first mentioned angular distance being 40 and the last mentioned ones 60.

The sleeve P is constantly connected with a shaft R, which is axially displaceable and mounted co-axially with said sleeve P in the housing C. This shaft can freely revolve in a sleeve r carried at its middle. The sleeve 7, which can only be displaced in conjunction with the shaft R, is secured against turning by means of a pin 0 which latter is seated in the housing C and engages a longitudinal groove 7 in said sleeve. At the end of the shaft R nearest the crank F are provided two spur wheels r and r which each cooperate with the toe f on the abutment arm f of the crank.

The spindle T, compare particularly Figs. 7 and 8, is provided with a crank handle 25 and is revoluble in the housing C around an axis which. is parallel to the axis of revolution of the adjusting members A and B, said spindle being provided in its middle with a tooth ring t in mesh with a tooth rack r on the sleeve W. The sleeve 1' with the shaft R may, by means of this spindle T, be so displaced in the axial direction that either the spur wheel r see Fig. 5, or the spur wheel T or neither of the two, see Figs. 3 and 1, will be in the path of the toe f of the crank. The angular positions of the crank handle t corresponding to these three axial adjustments of the shaft R, are noted by three marks 0 c and 0 arranged on the housing C, and the angular position denoted by the mark 0 (represented by dot and dash lines in Fig. 8) corresponds to that incident when both of the spur wheels 1" and r are situated without the path of the crank toe f while the angular positions denoted by the marks 0 and c express the case, where the spur wheels r or r are respectively situated in the path of the crank toe F. A second sleeve 7- is arranged around the shaft R and rigidly connected therewith between the sleeve r and the spur wheel r which sleeve r is provided with two annular grooves r and 1' see Figs. 3, 4 and 5, and a longitudinal groove 9" across the annular ones. There is furthermore fastened in the housing a stud c". which is adapted to enter any one of the grooves 1", r or 1*". Any turning of the shaft R is therefore only possible when the latter is at position in the axial direction that the stud 0 can engage in one of the annular grooves r or r On the other hand any axial displacement of the shaft R is only possible with that angular posit-ion thereof by which the stud 0 may enter into the longitudinal groove 1 The spur wheel 7' is then simultoe f during the axial adjustment of the shaft R wherein the stud c enters in the annular groove 1,- and the spur wheel r situated in the path of the crank toe f during the particular adjustment wherein the stud c enters the annular groove r For the cooperation of the crank toe f with the spur wheel r or W the ratio has been so selected that each spur wheel will be turned a center angle corresponding to its pitch during a full revolution of the crank F in the direction of the arrow 3 Fig. 1; and that the r0- tation of the spur wheel can begin at the earliest with the angular position of the crank F shown in Fig. 1, and will end at the latest when the abutment arm f of the crank has completely passed the abutment m which then naturally must be situated outside the path of the abutment arm The rotation of the spur wheels r and r mounted on the shaft R, can always be completed without opposition in the above mentioned position of the abutment m see Fig. 4, the retaining clutch for the shaft R, consisting of the finger m of the bolt M and the part of the sleeve P which is provided with the slits 72 is now disengaged. The spur wheel r is provided with six teeth, and the spur wheel 7- with nine. As a consequence each revolution of the crank will therefore give to the shaft R a turning of 40 or (30 corresponding to the angular distance denoted in Fig. 9 with 1 and 3, or 1 and 2 of the slits of the sleeve P, depending on whether the spur wheel r or r is situated in the path of the crank toe F.

The arrangement of the slits on the sleeve P has been so selected that the finger m of the bolt M only engages in that particular slit 79 which is denoted with 1, in Fig. 9 during that particular angular position of the shaft R, (always coupled with the sleeve) in which the stud c engages in the longitudinal slit 7- of the sleeve 1". This slit is one of the four longest ones 29 There is furthermore still another arrangement provided to secure the bolt 11 independent of the sleeve P in that position which corresponds to the length of the four short-est slits 79 when the finger m engages with the above mentioned slit 7)", denoted by numeral 1. For this purpose the spindle T has been provided with abutment faces 25 on both sides of the tooth ring 25 see particularly Fig. 7, which spindle partlv engages in a recess m of the bolt M. These abutment faces have been so arranged that the abutment face m formed in the recess m of the bolt M, see particularly Fig. 8, rests against the abutment faces i of the spindle T, with the crank handle 6 in the angular position, shown in dot and dash lines in Fig. 8; when in consequence the bolt will be situated in a position corresponding to the length of the shortest slit W.

In explaining the use and operation of the described machine, commencement will be made with the position of the detail parts as represented in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. As shown in Fig. 1, the crank F is in a position of rest, and the adjusting member A takes up the angular position corresponding thereto, as shown in Fig. 3. The shaft R is now in that particular angular position, wherein the stud 0 engages in the longitudinal groove 1* of the sleeve 9". The crank handle 6 of the spindle T is set on the mark 0, as has been shown by dot and dash lines in Fig. 8. The shaft R will then take the position in the axial direction, wherein the two spur wheels 1' and 1" are situated outside of the path of the crank toe The bolt M will simultaneously be secured independent of the sleeve 1? in the position corresponding to the length of the shortest slits 29 by means of the abutment face t of the spindle T. The finger m of the bolt M will then engage with the slit 29 denoted by numeral 1, in Figs. 9 and 10, as the sleeve P is now situated in the angular position governed by the engage ment of the stud 0 in the longitudinal groove 1* of the sleeve 1",- and the abutment m projects into the path of the abutment arm f of the crank F,-whereby the latter is secured against turning in the direction of the arrow 3 The ring K takes up an angular position corresponding to the position of the bolt M relative to the adjusting member A, in which angular position the surface of the side wall of the slot 70 has its greatest angular distance from the toe a of the arm a engaging therewith. As now the bolt M as well as the ring K with the above men tioned position of the crank handle t must be always in the same position during the still standing of the machine, the manner of operation of the machine agrees in all principal functions with those of the machine, built in accordance with U. S. Patent No. 1,029,146, with the position of the detail parts as just described, and need therefore only brief explanation.

When the adjusting member B has been given, by means of the worm G, the angular position relative to the adjusting member A corresponding to the desired bursting range, the crank F has first to be turned from its position of rest, represented in Fig. 1, in the displaced, see Fig. 4, that the finger m strikes the abutment face 0*, the snap latch Q, will slide, actuated by its spring, in front of the face of the abutment m which has now moved out of the path of the abutment arm f of the crank, and secure the bolt M as well as the ring K in the position represented in Fig. 4. The crank F is now turned in the opposite direction to which it turned heretofore, that is in the direction of the arrow 3 The toe a of the arm a slides onto the bevel surface 72 out of the slot 70 of the still standing ring K before the crank can again reach its starting position, so that the latch (1 when the crank has again arrived in its starting position, is ready to engage, in well known manner, the corresponding recess of the adjustable fuse part. As now the abutment m is still outside the path of the abutment arm f of the crank F, the latter may continue to turn, unobstructed, in the direction of the arrow y. Soon after the crank has passed its starting position, the abutment f meets with the free end of the snap latch Q. and will press the same inward. As a consequence, the bolt M will be set free and project again, with its abutment m in the path of the abutment arm 1, as soon as the abutment arm f has moved completely past this abutment. The ring K arrives simultaneously in its starting position. The turning of the crank F is continued until the abutment arm f situated thereon, will hit the abutment m as soon as the crank has been turned 360 out of its position of rest in the direction of the arrow The toe a slides thereby on the cylindrical surface is of the ring K and enters, actuated by the spring a, into the slot as soon as it has completely moved past the side wall 70 of the slot k The entering of the toe a in the slot 70 occurs now a short time before the crank F has completed its revolution limited by the abutment m and this time expresses the angular distance between the toe a and the side wall 70 during the final position of the adjusting member A (which coincides with the starting position represented in Fig. 3). Directly the toe a has entered into the slot 70 the latch a is disengaged from the recess in the adjustable fuse part, which latch during the turning of the crank F is in engagement with said recess. The displacement of the fuse part, referred to, can therefore not now any more take place while the crank F is moving toward its final position. The fuse has therefore been set to an adjustment which is smaller than the adjustment which would be obtained when the disengagement of the latch a would only follow at the final position of the crank. This circumstance has been considered in laying out the divisions of the range scale, Where the adjustment to be given the adjusting member B relative to the adjusting member A, can be read off. The fuse receives therefore the setting shown on the range scale, which corresponds to the position of the bolt M of the crank handle t with the bolt in the assumed position. Should now the crank handle t be set on the mark 0 the spur wheel 7' will then arrive in the path of the crank toe f see Fig. 5. The bolt M actuated by the spring N slides simultaneously so far out, that its finger m arrives at the end of the slit 72 which is denoted in Figs. 9 and 10 by numeral 1. For the purpose of setting a fuse, the crank F is now again turned so far in the opposite direction of the arrow y, that the finger m of the bolt M strikes against the abutment surface 0 after it is disengaged from the slit p referred to; and the snap latch Q, reaches with its free end in front of the abutment m see Fig. 4:. The crank F will thereupon again be turned in the opposite direction, that is in the direction of the arrow 3 The crank toe f thereby engages the gear teeth of the spur wheel 0, even before the abutment m again enters in the path of the abutment arm 7; and said crank toe turns said spur wheel an angle of 60 corresponding to the pitch. This can be done without obstruction as the finger m of the bolt M is still out of engagement with the part of the sleeve P containing the slits p which is coupled with the shaft R. The rotation of the spur wheel 1 is transmitted to the sleeve P by the shaft B, so that this also turns an angle of 60. The slit 12 denoted by numeral 3 in Fig. 9, arrives in the path of the finger m during the turning of the sleeve P (the slit denoted by numeral 2 will be skipped). When therefore, the bolt M by continued turning of the crank F, again enters as formerly with its abutment arm m in the path of the abutment arm 1 of the crank F, the finger of will then enter in engagement with the slit 10 denoted by numeral 3. As this slit p is one of the four shortest ones, the bolt will, in the case under consideration, now be secured in the same position by the sleeve P, as formerly by means of the abutment face t of the spindle T (that means by setting the crank handle t on the mark 0 The fuse will then obtain, also in the present case, the position denoted by the range scale of the machine. By each following adjusting operation, the spur wheel 1, as well as the sleeve P, will be turned an additional 60. After a series of engagements, the finger m will finaliy again arrive in engagement with the slit 79 denoted by the numeral 1 (whereby the spur wheel r and the sleeve P again return to their original angular position) after having engaged the slits p denoted by numerals 5, 7, 9 and 11, see Fig. 9, during the sixth adj usting operation. When the finger m engages with the middle sized slits 7, and 9, as is the case during the third and fourth adjusting operations, the ring K has then an angular position at the end of the adjusting operation, relative to the adjusting member A, in which the angular distance between the toe a and the side wall of the slot 16 is smaller by an amount corresponding to one hundred meters range distance, than when the finger m is in engagement with the shallowest ones of the slits 3 and 5. The entrance of the toe a in the slot 70 will therefore now follow later than in the previously disclosed case, whereby the fuses will be set to a correspondingly longer range, and this range is then actually one hundred meters longer than the range shown on the range scale. Similarly will the fuse be set at a two hundred meter longer range than the one indicated on the range scale, by means of the fifth and sixth adjusting operation, as in this case the finger m at the end of each adjusting operation engages with the slits 11 and 1, having the greatest depth, and thereby the angular distance of the side wall 70 from the toe a will, on the other hand, be smaller by an amount corresponding to a range difference of one hundred meters. It follows from this that these fuses may always be set completely automatic, at three different ranges of one hundred meters each, when the crank handle 6 is set at the mark 0 name'iy two fuses at the range shown on the range scale; another two fuses at a one hundred meter longer range, and the last two fuses at a two hundred meter longer range than, for instance, would be suitable for spread firing against air ships.

The manner of operation of the machine with the crank handle 25 set at the mark 0 differs from the foregoing manner of operation principally thereby, that in this case wherein the spur wheel r having nine teeth, is set in the path of the crank toe F, the sleeve P will now during each adjusting operation turn 410 and as a consequence will not reach the original angular position until the ninth adjusting operation. During the nine adjusting operations, following one upon the other, the finger m of the bolt M will then engage, at the end of each adjusting operation, with the slits 2, 1, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12 and 1, as may be easily understood from Fig. 9. As a consequence, in this case, out of the nine fuses three will always be set at the range indicated by the range scale, another three fuses at a range difiering by one hundred meters, and the last three at a range of two hundred meters longer than the range indicated by the range scale.

As the stud 0 during the adjustment of the crank handle 25 at the mark 0" or c has already engaged with the annular groove 1 or 1' during the first adjusting operation; and only during the sixth and ninth adjusting operation again returns to the longitudinal groove 1*; it will not be possible to readjust the crank handle 25 between sald operations. Should such a readjustment be possible, the machine would then, when the crank handle t had been set at the mark 0 again set the fuse at the correct range indicated by the scale. Should spread firing again be desired the spreading range would not follow in the correct order. This disadvantage is prevented by means of the arrangement of annular grooves r and r in conjunction with the stud c".

We claim:

1. A fuse setting machine comprising a pair of relatively rotatable fuse setting members, a driving element for relatively rotating said members to set the fuse, one of said members being provided with means for coupling it to an adjustable fuse part, means cooperating with said driving element whereby said coupling means is automatically released when said driving element has reached a predetermined position, said releasing means being adapted to be moved into a relative position causing the coupling means to be released at another position of said driving element, and means for holding said releasing means in said position, said holding means being non-releasable by said driving element when being operated to set the fuse.

2. A fuse setting machine comprising a pair of relatively rotatable fuse setting members, a driving element for relatively rotating said members to set the fuse, one of said members being provided with means for coupling it to an adjustable fuse part, means cooperating with said driving element whereby said coupling means is automatically released when said driving element has reached a predetermined position, a spring controlled member cooperating with said releasing means for adjusting the releasing means to allow said coupling means to be released at different positions of said driving element, and means for holding said spring controlled member in different positions, said holding means being non-releasable by said driving element when belng operated to set the fuse.

3. A fuse setting machine comprising a pair of relatively rotatable fuse setting members, a driving element for relatively rotating said members to set the fuse, one of said members being provided with means for coupling it to an adjustable fuse part,

means cooperating with said driving element whereby said coupling means is automatically released when said driving element has reached a predetermined position, a spring controlled member cooperating with said releasing means for adjusting the releasing means to allow said coupling means to be released at different positions of said driving element, means for holding said spring controlled member in different positions, said holding means being non-releasable by said driving element when being operated to set the fuse, and a controlling device for adjusting said holding means to hold said spring controlled member in different positions, said holding means being formed to lock said controlling device against movement in both directions when engaging each other.

4. A fuse setting machine comprising a pair of relatively rotatable fuse setting members, a driving element for relatively rotating said members to set the fuse, one of said members being provided with means for coupling it to an adjustable fuse part, means cooperating with said driving element whereby said coupling means is automatically released when said driving element has reached a predetermined position, a spring controlled member cooperating with said releasing means for adjusting the releasing means to allow said coupling means to be released at different positions of said driving element, a revoluble sleeve having a plurality of axial recesses, and an abutment adapted to engage said recesses, whereby said spring controlled member may be held in different positions.

5. A fuse setting machine comprising a pair of relatively rotatable fuse setting members, a driving element for relatively rotating said members to set the fuse, one of said members being provided with means for coupling it to an adjustable fuse part, means cooperating with said driving element whereby said coupling means is automatically released when said driving element has reached a predetermined position, said releasing means being adapted to be moved into different relative positions causing the coupling means to be released at different positions of said driving element, means for holding said releasing means in said different positions, said holding means being non-releasable by said driving element when being operated to set the fuse, and a controlling device actuated by said driving element for adjusting said holding means to hold said releasing means in their different relative positions.

6. A fuse setting machine comprising a pair of relatively rotatable fuse setting members, a driving element for relatively rotating said members to set the fuse, one of said members being provided with means for coupling it to an adjustable fuse part, means cooperating with said driving element whereby said coupling means is automatically released when said driving element has reached a predetermined position, said releasing means being adapted to be moved into different relative positions causing the coupling means to be released at difierent positions of said driving element,

means for holding said releasing means in said different positions, said holding means being non-releasable by said driving element when being operated to set the fuse, and a controlling device actuated by said driving element for adjusting said holding means to hold said releasing means in their different relative positions, said controlling device being adapted to adjust said holding means only during a part of the movement of said driving element.

7. A fuse setting machine comprising a pair of relatively rotatable fuse setting members, a driving element for relatively rotating said members to set the fuse, one of said members being provided with means for coupling it to an adjustable fuse part, means 00- operating with said driving element whereby said coupling means is automatically released when said driving element has reached a predetermined position, a spring controlled member cooperating with said releasing means for adjusting the releasing means to allow said coupling means to be released at different positions of said driving element, means for holding said spring controlled member in different positions, said holding means being non-releasable by said driving element when being operated to set the fuse, a controlling device for adjusting said holding means to hold said spring controlled member in different positions, said holding means being formed to lock said controlling device against movement in both directions when engaging each other, means actuated by said driving element when being moved rearward for disengaging said holding means, and locking means for securing said holding means in disengaged position, said driving element on its advance movement being adapted to actuate said controlling device while said holding means is secured in disengaged position and to automatically release said locking means after having actuated said controlling device.

8. A fuse setting machine comprising a pair of relatively rotatable fuse setting members, a driving element for relatively rotating said members to set the fuse, one of said members being provided with means for coupling it to an adjustable fusepart, means cooperating with said driving element whereby said coupling means is automatically released when said driving element has reached a predetermined position, said releasing means being adapted to be moved into different relative positions causing the coupling means to be released at different positions of said driving element, means for holding said releasing means in said different positions, said holding means being nonreleasable by said driving element when being operated to set the fuse, and a controlling device actuated by said driving element for adjusting said holding means to hold said releasing means in their different relative positions, said controlling device having a change gear for varying the adjustment of said holding means.

9. A fuse setting machine comprising a pair of relatively rotatable fuse setting members, a driving element for relatively rotating said members to set the fuse, one of said members being provided with means for coupling it to an adjustable fuse part, means cooperating with said driving element whereby said coupling means is automatically released when said driving element has reached a predetermined position, a spring controlled member cooperating with said releasing means for adjusting the releasing means to allow said coupling means to be released at different positions of said driving element, means for holding said spring con trolled member in different positions, said holding means being non-releasable by said driving element when being operated to set the fuse, a controlling device for adjusting said holding means to hold said spring controlled member in different positions, said controlling device having a gearing member adapted to establish positive connection with said driving element, means for displacing said gearing member to disconnect said controlling device from said driving element, and means cooperating with said displacing means for locking said spring controlled member in a certain position independently of said holding means, said locking means being adapted to lock the spring controlled member when said controlling device is disconnected from said driving element and to lelease the spring controlled member when said gearing member has been set to establish positive connection with said driving element.

10. A fuse setting machine comprising a pair of relatively rotatable fuse setting members, a driving element for relatively rotating said members to set the fuse, one of said members being provided with means for coupling it to an adjustable fuse part, means cooperating with said driving element whereby said coupling means is automatically released when said driving element has reached a predetermined position, a spring controlled member cooperating with said releasing means for adjusting the releasing means to allow said coupling means to be released at different positions of said driving element, a revoluble stopping member, an abutment cooperating with said stopping member whereby said spring controlled member may be held in diflerent positions according to the different angular positions of said stopping member, and a controlling device actuated by said driving element for turning said stopping member to hold said spring controlled member in its difierent positions, said controlling device being adapted to turn said stopping member only during a part of the movement of said driving element, whereby said stopping member may be turned about an angle of 360 when said driving element has completed a plurality of revolutions.

11. A fuse setting machine comprising a pair of relatively rotatable fuse setting members, a driving element for relatively rotating said members to set the fuse, one of said members being provided with means for coupling it to an adjustable fuse part, means cooperating with said driving element whereby said coupling means is automatically released when said driving element has reached a predetermined position, a spring controlled member cooperating with said releasing means for adjusting the releasing means to allow said coupling means to be released at different positions of said driving element, a revoluble stopping member, an abutment cooperating with said stopping member whereby said spring controlled member may be held in different positions according to the difierent angular positions of said stopping member, a controlling device actuated by said driving element for turning said stopping member to hold said spring controlled member in its different positions, said controlling device being adapted to turn said stopping member only during a part of the movement of said driving element, whereby said stopping member may be turned about an angle of 360 when said driving element has completed a plurality of revolutions, said controlling device having a gearing member adapted to establish positive connection between said revoluble stopping member and said driving element, means for displacing said gearing member to disconnect said stopping member from said driving element and means cooperating with said stopping member for locking said displacing means, said locking means being adapted to release said displacing means only in one angular position of said stopping member.

12. In a fuse setting machine the combination with a housing a pair of fuse setting members, one of said members adapted to engage the body of the fuse, coupling means in the other setting member for engaging it with the revoluble fuse part, holding means for causing said coupling means to engage said fuse part and said holding means having a releasing portion for releasing the coupling at a certain relative position of said holding-and coupling means, and means for relative adjustment corresponding to the desired range between said members, a gear wheel for each of said members, and a pinion in mesh with both of said gear wheels for turning them in opposite direction; of a crank handle on said pinion for turning it, and a device cooperating with said crank handle controlling said holding means, whereby said holding means will cause the release of said coupling at different stages of the setting operation corresponding to small variations in the actual range; said device comprising a finger connected to said holding means; a spring actuated sliding bolt in engagement with said finger; a toe on said bolt and a slot in the housing for limiting the movement of said bolt; a snap latch for retaining said sliding bolt in its retracted position; an inwardly projecting arm on said crank handle constructed during its clockwise rotation to release said bolt from the hold of said snap latch; an abutment at the outer end of the sliding bolt obstructing the clockwise rotation of said projecting arm while said bolt is released by the snap latch; a slidable and revoluble shaft adjacent and parallel to said sliding bolt; a non-slidable sleeve keyed to said shaft; a plurality of axial slits of difrent depths in said sleeve arranged in a plurality of groups around the sleeve, the depth of all the slits in the same group being equal, said toe on the sliding bolt adapted to engage one of said slits to limit the outward throw of the bolt when released by said snap latch, and said toe being free of all of said slits when in its retracted position; means for axially displacing said shaft, adapted to give said shaft a plurality of axially fixed positions equal in number to the groups of said slits.

13. In a fuse setting machine the combination with a housing, a pair of fuse setting members, one of said members adapted to engage the body of the fuse, coupling means in the other setting member for engaging it with the revoluble fuse part, holding means 5 for causing said coupling means to engage said fuse part and said holding means having a releasing portion for releasing the coupling at a certain relative position of said holding-and coupling means, and means for relative adjustment corresponding to the desired range between said members, a gear wheel for each of said members, and a pinion in mesh with both of said gear wheels for turning them in opposite direction; of a 5 crank handle on said pinion for turning it, and a device cooperating with said crank handle controlling said holding means, whereby said holding means will cause the release of said coupling at different stages 129 of the setting operation corresponding to small variation in the actual range; said device comprising a finger connected to said holding means; a spring actuated sliding bolt in engagement with said finger; a toe 5 on said bolt and a slot in the housing for limiting the movement of said bolt; a snap latch for retaining said sliding bolt in its retracted position; an inwardly projecting arm on said crank handle constructed during 1 30 its clockwise rotation to release said bolt from the hold of said snap latch; an abuts ment at the outer end of the sliding bolt obstructing the clockwise rotation of said projecting arm while said bolt is released by the snap latch; a slidable and revoluble shaft adjacent and parallel to said sliding bolt; a non-slidable sleeve keyed to said shaft; a plurality of axial slits of different depths in said sleeve arranged-in a plurality of groups around the sleeve, the depth of all the slits in the same group being equal, said toe 011 the sliding bolt adapted to engage one of said slits to limit the outward throw of the bolt when released by said snap latch, and said toe being free of all of said slits when in its retracted position; and a shaft guiding means.

14. In a fuse setting machine the combination with a housing, a pair of fuse setting members, one of said members adapted to engage the body of the fuse, coupling means in the other setting member for engaging it with the revoluble fuse part, holding means for causing said coupling means to engage said fuse part and said holding means having a releasing portion for releasing the coupling at a certain relative p0- sition of said holdingand coupling means, and means for relative adjustment corre sponding to the desired range between said members, a gear wheel for each of said members, and a pinion in mesh with both of said gear wheels for turning them in opposite direction; of a crank handle on said pinion for turning it, and a device cooperating with said crank handle controlling said holding means, whereby said holding means will cause the release of said coupling at different stages of the setting operation corresponding to small variations in the actual range; said device comprising a finger connected to said holding means; a spring actuated sliding bolt in engagement with said finger; a toe on said bolt and a slot in the housing for limiting the movement of said bolt; a snap latch for retaining said sliding bolt in its retracted position; an inwardly projecting arm on said crank handle constructed during its clockwise rotation to release said bolt from the hold of said snap latch; an abutment at the outer end of the sliding bolt obstructing the clockwise r0- tation of said projecting arm while said bolt is released by the snap latch; a slidable and revoluble shaft adjacent and parallel to said sliding bolt; a non-slidable sleeve keyed to said shaft; a plurality of axial slits of different depths in said sleeve arranged in a plurality of groups around the sleeve, the depth of all the slits in the same group being equal,

said toe on the sliding bolt adapted to engage one of said slits to limit the outward throw of the bolt when released by said snap latch, and said toe being free of all of said slits when in its retracted shaft engaging means.

15. In a fuse setting machine the combi nation with a housing, a pair of fuse setting members, one of said members adapted to engage the body of the fuse, coupling means in the other setting member for engaging it with the revoluble fuse part, holding means for causing said coupling means to engage said fuse part and said holding means having a releasing portion for releasing the coupling at a certain relative position of said holding and coupling means, and means for relative adjustment 'corresponding to the desired range between said members, a gear wheel for each of said members, and a pinion in mesh with both of said gear wheels for turning them in opposite directions; of a crank handle on said pinion for turning it, and a device cooperating with said crank handle controlling said holding means, whereby said holding means will cause the release of said coupling at different stages of the setting operation corresponding to small variations in the actual range; said device comprising a finger connected to said holding means; a spring actuated sliding bolt in engagement with said finger; a toe on said bolt and a slot in the housing for limiting the movement of said bolt; a snap latch for retaining said sliding bolt in its retracted position; .an inwardly projecting arm on said crank handle constructed during its clockwise rotation to release said bolt from the hold of said snap latch; an abutment at the outer end of the sliding bolt obstructing the clockwise rotation of said projecting arm while said bolt is released by the snap latch; a slidable and revoluble shaft adjacent and parallel to said sliding bolt, a non-slidable sleeve keyed to said shaft; a plurality of axial slits of different depths in said sleeve arranged in a plurality of groups around the sleeve, the depth of all the slits in the same group being equal, said toe on the sliding bolt adapted to engage one of said slits to limit the outward throw of the bolt when released by said snap latch, and said toe being free of all of said slits when in its retracted position; means for axially displacing said shaft adapted to give the shaft a plurality of axially fixed ositions equal in number to the groups of said slits, said displacing means consisting of a spindle situated perpendicularly to said shaft, a pinion on said spindle, rack teeth on the shaft meshing therewith, and a handle on said spindle.

16. In a fuse setting machine the combination with a housing, a pair of fuse setting members, one of said members adapted to engage the body of the fuse, coupling means in the other setting member for engaging it with the revoluble fuse part, holding means for causing'said coupling means to position; and a engage said fuse part and said holding means having a releasing portion for releasing the coupling at a certain relative position of said holding and coupling means, and means for relative adjustment corresponding to the desired range between said members, a gear wheel for each of said members, and a pinion in mesh with both of said gear wheels for turning them in opposite directions; of a crank handle on said pinion for turning it, and a device cooperating with said crank handle controlling said holding means, whereby said holding means will cause the release of said coupling at different stages of the setting op eration corresponding to small variations in the actual range; said device comprising a finger connected to said holding means; a spring actuated sliding bolt in engagement with said finger; a toe on said bolt and a slot in the housing for limiting the movement of said bolt; a snap latch for retaining said sliding bolt in its retracted position; an inwardly projecting arm on said crank handle constructed during its clockwise rotation to release said bolt from the hold of said snap latch; an abutment at the outer end of the sliding bolt obstructing the clockwise rotation of said projecting arm while said bolt is released by the snap latch; a slidable and revoluble shaft adjacent and parallel to said sliding bolt, a non-slidable sleeve keyed to said shaft; a plurality of axial slits of different depths in said sleeve arranged in a plurality of groups around the sleeve, the depth of all the slits in the same group being equal, said toe on the sliding bolt adapted to engage one of said slits to limit the outward throw of the bolt when released by said snap latch, and said toe being free of all of said slits when in its retracted position; a stud in the housing, shaft guiding means consisting of an axial groove on said shaft engaging said stud, a plurality of annular grooves on said shaft crossing said axial groove and being one less in number than the groups of said slits.

17. In a fuse setting machine the combination with a housing, a pair of fuse setting members, one of said members adapted to engage the body of the fuse, coupling means in the other setting member for engaging it with the revoluble fuse part, holding means for causing said coupling means to engage said fuse part and said holding means having a releasing portion for releasing the coupling at a certain relative position of said holding and coupling means, and means for relative adjustment corresponding to the desired range between said members, a gear wheel for each of said members, and a pinion in mesh with both of said gear wheels for turning them in opposite directions; of a crank handle on said pinion for turning it, and a device cooperating with said crank handle contr0l-' ling said holding means, whereby said holding means will cause the release of said coupling at different stages of the setting operation corresponding to small variation in the actual range; said device comprising a finger connected to said holding means; a spring actuated sliding bolt in engagement with said finger; a toe on said bolt and a slot in the housing for limiting the movement of said bolt; a snap latch for retaining said sliding bolt in its retracted position; an inwardly projecting arm on said crank handle constructed during its clockwise rotation to release said bolt from the hold of said snap latch; an abutment at the outer end of the sliding bolt obstructing the clockwise rotation of said projecting arm while said bolt is released by the snap latch; a slidable and revoluble shaft adjacent and parallel to said sliding bolt; a non-slidable sleeve keyed to said shaft; a plurality of axial slits of difierent depths in said sleeve arranged in a plurality of groups around the sleeve, the depth of all the slits in the same group being equal, said toe on the sliding bolt adapted to engage one of said slits to limit the outward throw of the bolt when released by said snap latch, and said toe being free of all of said slits when in its retracted position; shaft engaging means con sisting of a spur on said inwardly projecting arm; a plurality of spur wheels, on the free end of said shaft being the same in number as said annular grooves, said spur wheels having each a different number of teeth which is of an even ratio with the number of said slits.

18. In a fuse setting machine the combination with a housing, a pair of fuse setting members, one of said members adapted to engage the body of the fuse, coupling means in the other setting member for engaging it with the revoluble fuse part, holding means for causing said coupling means to engage said fuse part and said holding means having a releasing portion for releasing the coupling at a certain relative position of said holding and coupling means, and means for relative adjustment corresponding to the desired range between said members, a gear wheel for each of said members, and a pinion in mesh with both of said gear wheels for turning them in opposite directions; of a crank handle on said pinion for turning it, and a device cooperating with said crank handle controlling said holding means, whereby said holding means will cause the release of said coupling at different stages of the setting operation corresponding to small variations in the actual range; said device comprising a finger connected to said holding means; a spring actuated sliding bolt in engagement with said finger; a toe on said bolt and a slot in the housing for limiting the movement of said bolt; a snap latch for retaining said sliding bolt in its retracted position; an inwardly projecting arm on said crank handle constructed during its clockwise rotation to release said bolt from the hold of said snap latch; an abutment at the outer end of the sliding bolt obstructing the clockwise rotation of said projecting arm while said bolt is released by the snap latch; a slidable and revoluble shaft adjacent and parallel to said sliding bolt, a non-slidable sleeve keyed to said shaft; a plurality of axial slits of different depths in said sleeve arranged in a plurality of groups around the sleeve, the depth of all the slits in the same group being equal, said toe on the sliding bolt adapted to engage one of said slits to limit the outward throw of the bolt when released by said snap latch, and said toe being free of all of said slits when in its retracted position; means for axially displacing said shaft adapted to give the shaft a plurality of axially fixed positions equal in number to the groups of said slits, said displacing means consisting of a spindle situated perpendicularly to said shaft, a pinion on said spindle, rack teeth on the shaft meshing therewith, and a handle on said spindle; a dog on said spindle and a shoulder on said bolt constructed to engage with said dog at a certain angular position of the spindle to limit the displacement of said bolt to its shortest throw.

19. In a fuse setting machine the combination with a housing, a pair of fuse setting members, one of said members adapted to engage the body of the fuse, coupling means in the other setting member for engaging it with the revoluble fuse part, holding means for causing said coupling means to engage said fuse part and said holding means having a releasing portion for releasing the coupling at a certain relative position of said holding and coupling means and means for relative adjustment corresponding to the desired range between said members, a gear wheel for each of said members, and a pinion in mesh with both of said gear wheels for turning them in opposite directions; of a crank handle on said pinion for turning it, and a device cooperating with said crank handle controlling said holding means, whereby said holding means will cause the release of said coupling at different stages of the setting operation corresponding to small variations in the actual range; said device comprising a finger connected to said holding means; a spring actuated sliding bolt in engagement with said finger; a toe on said bolt and a slot in the housing for limiting the movement of said bolt; a snap latch for retaining said sliding bolt in its retracted position; an inwardly projecting arm on said crank handle constructed during its clockwise rotation to release said bolt from the hold of said snap latch; an abutment at the outer end of the sliding bolt obstructing the clockwise rotation of said projecting arm while said bolt is released by the snap latch; a slidable and revoluble shaft adjacent and parallel to said sliding bolt, a non-slidable sleeve keyed to said shaft; a plurality of axial slits of different depths in said sleeve arranged in a plurality of groups around the sleeve, the depth of all the slits in the same group being equal, said toe on the sliding bolt adapted to engage one of said slits to limit the outward throw of the bolt when released by said snap latch, and said toe being free of all of said slits when in its retracted position; means for axially displacing said shaft adapted to give the shaft a plurality of axially fixed positions equal in number to the groups of said slits, said displacing means consisting of a spindle situated perpendicularly to said shaft, a pinion on said spindle, rack teeth on the shaft meshing therewith, and a handle on said spindle; a stud in the housing, shaft guiding means consisting of an axialgroove on said shaft engaging said stud, a plurality of annular grooves on said shaft crossing said axial groove and being one less in number than the groups of said slits.

20. In a fuse setting machine the combination with a housing, a pair of fuse setting members, one of said members adapted to engage the body of the fuse, coupling means in the other setting member for engaging it with the revoluble fuse part, holding means for causing said coupling means to engage said fuse part and said holding means having a releasing portion for releasing the coupling at a certain relative position of said holding and coupling means, and means for relative adjustment corresponding to the desired range between said members, a gear wheel for each of said members, and a pinion in mesh with both of said gear wheels for turning them in opposite directions; of a crank handle on said pinion for turning it, and a device cooperating with said crank handle controlling said holding means, whereby said holding means will cause the release of said coupling at difierent stages of the setting operation corresponding to small variations in the actual range; said device comprising a finger connected to said holding means; a spring actuated sliding bolt in engagement with said finger; a toe on said bolt and a slot in the housing for limiting the movement of said bolt; a snap latch for retaining said sliding bolt in its retracted position; an inwardly projecting arm on said crank handle constructed during its clockwise rotation to release said bolt from the hold of said snap latch; an abutment at the outer end of-the sliding bolt obstructing the clockwise rotation of said projecting arm while said bolt is released by the snap latch; a slidable and revoluble shaft adjacent and parallel to said sliding bolt, a non-slidable sleeve keyed to said shaft; a plurality of axial slits of different depths in said sleeve arranged in a plurality of groups around the sleeve, the depth of all the slits in the same group being equal, said toe on the sliding bolt adapted to engage one of said slits to limit the outward throw of the bolt when released by said snap latch, and said toe being free of all of said slits when in its retracted position; means for axially displacing said shaft adapted to give the shaft a plurality of axially fixed positions equal in number to the groups of said slits, said displacing means consisting of a spindle situated perpendicularly to said shaft, a pinion on said spindle, rack teeth on the shaft meshing therewith, and a handle on said spindle; shaft engaging means consisting of a spur on said inwardly projecting arm, a plurality of spur wheels on the free end of said shaft being the same in number as said annular grooves, said spur wheels having each a different number of teeth which is of an even ratio with the number of said slits.

21. In a fuse setting machine the combination with a housing, a pair of fuse setting members, one of said members adapted to engage the body of the fuse, coupling means in the other setting member for engaging it with the revoluble fuse part, holding means for causing said coupling means to engage said fuse part and said holding means having a releasing portion for releasing the coupling at a certain relative position of said holding and coupling means, and means for relative adjustment corresponding to the desired range between said members, a gear wheel for each of said members, and a pinion in mesh with both of said gear wheels for turning them in opposite directions; of a crank handle on said pinion for turning it, and a device cooperating with said crank handle controlling said holding means, whereby said holding means will cause the release of said coupling at different stages of the setting operation corresponding to small variations in the actual range; said device comprising a finger connected to said holding means; a spring actuated sliding bolt in engagement with said finger; a toe on said bolt and a slot in the housing for limiting the movement of said bolt; a snap latch for retaining said sliding bolt in its retracted position; an inwardly projecting arm on said crank handle constructed during its clockwise rotation to release said bolt from the hold of said snap latch; an abutment at the outer end of the sliding bolt obstructing the clockwise rotation of said projecting arm while said bolt is released by the snap latch; a slidable and revoluble shaft adjacent and parallel to said sliding bolt, a non-slidable sleeve keyed to said shaft; a plurality of axial slits of different depths in said sleeve arranged in a plurality of groups around the sleeve, the depth of all the slits in the same group being equal, said toe on the sliding bolt adapted to engage one of said slits to limit the outward throw of the bolt when released by said snap latch, and said toe being free of all of said slits when in its retracted position; a stud in the housing shaft, guiding means consisting of an axial groove on said shaft engaging said stud, a plurality of an nular grooves on said shaft crossing said axial roove and being one less in number than tie groups of said slits; shaft engaging means consisting of a spur on said inwardly projecting arm, a plurality of spur wheels on the free end of said shaft being the same in number as said annular grooves, said spur wheels having each a different number of teeth which is of an even ratio with the number of said slits.

22. In a fuse setting machine the combination with a housing, a pair of fuse setting members, one of said members adapted to engage the body of the fuse, coupling means in the other setting member for engaging it with the revoluble fuse part, holding means for causing said coupling means to engage said fuse part and said holding means having a releasing portion for releasing the coupling at a certain relative position of said holding and coupling means, and means for relative adjustment corresponding to the desired range bet-ween said members, a gear wheel for each of said members and a pinion in mesh with both of said gear wheels for turning them in opposite direction; of a crank handle on said pinion for turning it, and a device cooperating with said crank handle controlling said holding means, whereby said holding means will cause the release of said coupling at different stages of the setting operation corresponding to small variations in the actual range; said device comprising a finger connected to said holding means; a spring actuated sliding bolt in engagement with said finger; a. toe on said bolt and a slot in the housing for limiting the movement of said bolt; a snap latch for retaining said sliding bolt in its retracted position; an inwardly projecting arm on said crank handle constructed during its clockwise rotation to release said bolt from the hold of said snap latch; an abutment at the outer end of the sliding bolt obstructing the clockwise rotation of said projecting arm while said bolt is released by the snap latch; a slidable and revoluble shaft adjacent and parallel to said sliding bolt; a non-slidable sleeve keyed to said shaft; a plurality of axial slits of different depths in said sleeve arranged in a plurality of groups around the sleeve, the depth of all the slits in the same group being equal, said toe on the sliding bolt adapted to engage one of said slits to limit the outward throw of the bolt when released by the snap latch, and said toe being free of all of said slits when in its retracted position; means for axially displacing said shaft adapted to give the shaft a plurality of axially fixed positions equal in number to the groups of said slits, said displacing means consisting of a spindle situated perpendicularly to said shaft, a pinion on said spindle, rack teeth on the shaft meshing therewith, and a handle on said spindle, a stud in the housing, shaft guiding means consisting of an axial groove on said shaft engaging said stud, a plurality of annular grooves on said shaft crossing said axial groove and being one less in number than the groups of said slits; shaft engaging means consisting of a spur on said inwardly projecting bolt, a plurality of spur wheels on the free end of said shaft being Copies of this patent may be obtained for the same in number as said annular grooves, said spur wheels having each a different number of teeth which is of an even ratio with the number of said slits; the different axial position of said shaft, controlled by said displacing means, being so arranged, that the outermost spur wheel will be in the path of said spur, when the outermost annular groove registers with said stud, and that the next spur wheel will be in said path when the next groove registers with said stud, and that none of said spur wheels will be in the path of said spur when said shaft is in its extreme outward position with said stud in engagement with said axial groove alone.

The foregoing specification signed at Barmen, Germany, this 14th day of October 1912.

In presence of- ALBERT NUFER, NEILS SAMUELs.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G." 

